Closed battery module

Abstract

Cracking or the like is prevented from being formed in an outer wall of a container of a closed battery module whose internal space is divided by partitions. Each partition dividing the internal space of the container of the closed battery module is provided with a deformable portion that deforms before a stress greater than an allowable value is caused in a container outer wall by load applied to the container. When a load is applied to the module container, the partitions dividing the container internal space restrict deformation of the container outer walls, so that great stress is likely to occur in the outer walls. However, as the deformable portion of a partition deforms due to such load, the stress caused in the container outer walls decreases, so that formation of a crack or the like in the container outer walls becomes less likely.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A closed type battery module comprising: 
       a partition dividing an internal space of a closed container into a plurality of cells;  
       a unit cell formed from the plurality of cells divided by the partition; and  
       a deformable central portion that is provided in the partition and that deforms before a stress greater than a predetermined allowable value occurs in an outer wall of the container by a load applied to the container, and which is more deformable than other portions of the partition.  
     
     
       2. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the unit cell is a secondary battery. 
     
     
       3. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion is a member that is plastically deformable by the load. 
     
     
       4. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion is a member that is elastically deformable by the load. 
     
     
       5. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion is a member whose strength is set so that the member breaks before the stress occurring in the outer wall of the container exceeds the predetermined allowable value. 
     
     
       6. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined allowable value of the stress corresponds to a stress that breaks the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       7. A battery module according to  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined allowable value of the stress corresponds to a stress that breaks the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       8. A battery module according to  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined allowable value of the stress corresponds to a stress that breaks the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       9. A battery module according to  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined allowable value of the stress corresponds to a stress that breaks the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       10. A battery module according to  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined allowable value of the stress corresponds to a stress that breaks the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       11. A battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the stress caused in the outer wall of the container by the load is a stress caused adjacent to a junction between the partition and the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       12. A battery module according to  claim 2 , wherein the stress caused in the outer wall of the container by the load is a stress caused adjacent to a junction between the partition and the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       13. A battery module according to  claim 3 , wherein the stress caused in the outer wall of the container by the load is a stress caused adjacent to a junction between the partition and the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       14. A battery module according to  claim 4 , wherein the stress caused in the outer wall of the container by the load is a stress caused adjacent to a junction between the partition and the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       15. A battery module according to  claim 5 , wherein the stress caused in the outer wall of the container by the load is a stress caused adjacent to a junction between the partition and the outer wall of the container. 
     
     
       16. A closed type battery module comprising: 
       a partition dividing an internal space of a closed container into a plurality of cells;  
       a unit cell formed from the plurality of cells divided by the partition;  
       a deformable portion that is provided in the partition and that deforms before a stress greater than a predetermined allowable value occurs in an outer wall of the container by a load applied to the container; and  
       an electrolytic solution contained in the unit cell,  
       wherein both sides of the deformable portion are in contact with the electrolytic solution.